Jonathan performs with Catgut and Air, a contemporary Melbourne-based multi-instrumental folk group comprising Sue Ferguson, Jason Goroncy, Jonathan Hicks, and David Rackham.
https://catgutandair.com/
Songs
FATHER
Lyrics by Jonathan Hicks
APRA registered GW74499529
Verse 1.
The old knot, it tightened deep in my chest,
With news that my father was dying.
We’d stopped talking after he moved to the West.
Did I care? Was I pleased? Was I lying?
Verse 2.
What impulse at work pushed me onto the plane?
What was I desperate to find?
Could I sit by his bed, hold his hand, ease his pain?
Was I now being cruel to be kind?
Chorus
Old memories come back like waves on the shore
Lapping through recesses of my mind
Some rushing and crashing they race with a roar
Taking thought, leaving nothing behind.
Verse 3.
I was hoping he’d say that he thought I’d done well
Instead: “What are you doing here?”
“You’re dying,” I said. “Can you not hear the bell?”
“I come out of hope, out of fear.”
Verse 4.
He passed away refusing to speak.
I went back to my life as a father.
He returned to the void, so empty, so bleak.
Redemption is not easy to gather.
Chorus
SUNFLOWERS
Lyrics by Jonathan Hicks
APRA registered GW74839390
Verse 1
They stand so straight and tall
They grow like this each year.
My heart aches when I see them,
I see sunflowers everywhere.
Verse 2
Many cut down before their time
Falling sadly to the ground.
Before the seeds they make are caught
Are caught and shared around.
Chorus
I never thought I’d see
A time like this and then
When all that has been broken
Stands tall and straight again.
Verse 3
I look into the eyes
Of those women, of those men
I cry for all the old ones
Who won’t see their kids again.
Verse 4
I see history’s arc unveiling
I see the devilmen on trial
I see the outcome of their evil
And all those deeds so vile.
Chorus
But I never thought I’d see
A time like this and then
When all that has been broken
Stands tall and straight again
And when the devils have gone
They’ll plough their fields again.
Joy returns to the playground
Sunflowers bloom again
Sunflowers bloom again
Sonyashnyky (Sunflowers) bloom again //
Sunflowers bloom again
Shearwaters
Lyrics by Jonathan Hicks
APRA registered GW75052282
I saw shearwaters fly today
I wonder if they know
We do our best to make them disappear
Our best to make them go.
Interlude
Verse 2
There was a time when we’d hunt them down
Sealers killed them for their oil
In early days, they would fill the skies
Turn the blue to black as soil
Chorus 1
We’re nearly done, we’ll finish up.
We’ve not much left to burn.
And when we’re done, we’ll be done for good.
No comeback. No return.
Interlude
Verse 3
Don’t come back, stay down south
Where ice and snow once lay.
Just spread your wings and fly away
Here’s far too warm to stay.
Chorus 1
We’re nearly done, we’ll finish up.
We’ve not much left to burn.
And when we’re done, we’ll be done for good.
No comeback. No return.
Interlude
Verse 4
I saw shearwaters fly today.
I think they really know.
They’ll build their nests in smoking ruins.
I think they’re here to stay.
Chorus 2
We’re nearly done, we’ll finish up.
We’ve not much left to burn.
They’ll raise their young who’ll learn to fly
And fill the air with song.